Culture & SocietyAgree / DisagreeIntermediateHigh Frequency

IELTS Essay: Some believe that tourism does more to create tension between countries rathe...

Prompt

Some believe that tourism does more to create tension between countries rather than helping individuals better understand other cultures. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

#tourism and understanding#cultural exchange#international tension#stereotyping and tourism#globalization

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Band 7 → 9 — Band 7 argues tourism helps or harms cultural understanding generally, while Band 9 identifies conditions enabling meaningful exchange (community-led tourism, education, equitable benefit) versus those reinforcing stereotypes (extractive tourism, minimal interaction).

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Key concepts in this essay

Mechanisms by which tourism can reduce stereotypes through direct exposure
Mechanisms by which tourism can reinforce stereotypes through superficial encounters
Economic power imbalances and cultural representation in tourism
Quality of cultural engagement versus commodified tourism experiences

Pitfalls the model essay avoids

Assuming tourism either increases understanding or increases tension without considering evidence
Overlooking that same tourism can increase understanding for some tourists while creating stereotypes for others
Neglecting that context (tour quality, community engagement, economic fairness) determines tourism's effects

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